Enantioselective Synthesis of Antiepileptic Agent, (−)-Levetiracetam, through Evans Asymmetric Strategy

A practical and efficient enantioselective synthesis of antiepileptic drug, (−)-Levetiracetam, has been described in five steps (33.0% overall yield) and high optical purity (99.0% ee), using Evans asymmetric strategy for α-alkylation of carbonyl functionality as the key step. The simplicity of the experimental procedures and high stereochemical outcome make this method synthetically attractive for preparing the target compound on multigram scales.